Gaming demand is driving an OLED monitor boom as Asus overtakes Samsung

[Skye Jacobs]

In a nutshell: OLED monitor shipments are accelerating rapidly, with TrendForce data showing both sharp unit growth and a reshuffling of leading brands in 2025. The surge is tied to high-end gaming demand and broader use cases that now span creators and portable form factors.

Global OLED monitor shipments reached 644,000 units in the third quarter of 2025, up 12% from the prior quarter and 65% from a year earlier. For the full year, shipments are projected to total 2.62 million units, implying annual growth of 84% as panel makers and brands push hard into the category.

The monitors fueling this growth offer what high-end gamers and display enthusiasts want: wide color gamut, high contrast, and blistering response times. Many current models support refresh rates of 240Hz or higher, positioning OLED as a flagship-class option in the premium gaming segment rather than a niche technology.

Also see: The Best Gaming Monitors - Late 2025 Update

In terms of brand share, TrendForce reports a significant shift at the top of the OLED monitor rankings in Q3 2025. Asus overtook Samsung to become the leading OLED monitor brand, capturing a 21.9% share of the global market.

Asus' performance is tied to a broad portfolio approach rather than a single flagship line. The company has expanded beyond its ROG gaming monitors to include ProArt OLED models for creators, as well as portable and foldable dual-screen monitors that target mobility and specialized workflows.

TrendForce says that this diversification and continuing product innovation have strengthened Asus' position in the mid- to high-end segment, and the firm's OLED shipments are expected to rank first worldwide for 2025.

Samsung, which now holds second place with an 18% share of the global OLED monitor market, has maintained relatively stable shipment levels from the first through the third quarter of 2025. TrendForce notes that the company concentrated shipments on flagship models early in the year, then broadened its lineup later on.

In the second half of 2025, Samsung increased shipments of new OLED monitor models to prepare for the holiday sales season in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of seasonal demand.

MSI has moved from fifth place in 2024 to third place in 2025, which TrendForce cites as evidence that its market approach is gaining traction. The company now offers more than 20 mid- to high-end OLED monitor models across a range of price points, with an emphasis on UHD high-resolution displays for next-generation GPUs and AAA gaming titles.

TrendForce also points to MSI's ability to time product launches alongside cutting-edge panel technologies as a factor in its rise. This coordination is strengthening MSI's role as a notable innovator in the OLED monitor segment.

LGE ranked fourth in the third quarter of 2025 with a 12.9% market share after rebounding from a temporary setback earlier in the year. The company had slipped to fifth place in the second quarter due to a transition in its production sites, but recovered as factory relocation was completed and new models came to market.

TrendForce expects LGE to make further gains in the fourth quarter, driven by additional product launches and strong promotion of its 45-inch OLED models. If that momentum holds, LGE could move up to third place in the global OLED monitor rankings.

Permalink to story:

Gaming demand is driving an OLED monitor boom as Asus overtakes Samsung

 

[BbN48]

All I want is a 38-40 inch ultrawide with more than 3440x1440 res and not an extreme curve

Produce them already

 

[Neatfeatguy]

No one in that LG store picture is actually wanting to buy those TVs with forced Microsoft's copilot being included on them with no way to disable or remove it.

 

[user478318]

Bought ASUS PG32UCDM as praised here and well on other tech sites as the best oled gaming monitor you could buy - ended regretting it because the monitor has a fair share of problems that where never mentioned in any reviews...

 

[BbN48]

No one in that LG store picture is actually wanting to buy those TVs with forced Microsoft's copilot being included on them with no way to disable or remove it.

It's a really bad move from LG. Tonedeaf; blind; oblivious, whatever you want to call it.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Bought ASUS PG32UCDM as praised here and well on other tech sites as the best oled gaming monitor you could buy - ended regretting it because the monitor has a fair share of problems that where never mentioned in any reviews...

And those problems were?

 

[Prosercunus]

I really like my Alienware 34" OLED with a very slight curve, but it's 3440x1440. I want to upgrade to 4k, but there's no way I am going below 34" (not even 32"). If they can make something between 34-40, 4k, OLED, Refresh time over 165, etc, I would be all over it. I can't go back to lesser panels at this point, and the fools saying burn-in was a real world problem for most people, have been fools, 3+ years and going strong.

 

[user478318]

And those problems were?

completely broken HDR, been using it as and SDR monitor for the past year and a half, they have released an firmware update a few days ago that only partially fixes the issues like screen flashing or lines appearing over the entire screen, also the monitor does not rember HDR mode settings, and you to setup them every single time after you shut down your pc... monitor also makes a buzzing sound when pc is turned of so I have to completely unplug the monitor from the wall so I can sleep, in talks with asus support this is not the issue of my unit, it's normal sound of components and looking on forums a lot of people complained about this... also the monitor requires to be connected with an usb cable to pc in addition to DP cable in order for rgb lights to work properly, you have no way to customize this monitor backlight without being usb connected and installing a terrible armoury crate, the monitor keeps my entire bedroom enlighted during the night because I refuse to install ASUS crapware... also trying to play games with HDR produces an eye searing brightness and you cannot sit in front of the monitor comfortably, I use 30% brightness normally for SDR but everything is locked in HDR all the features that are marketed with this monitor are dead under HDR, this is freaking incredible amount of problems that are happening on a 1500€ monitor universally praised best ever on many reviews, makes me wonder do guys reviewing these monitors just use chatgpt... heck it doesnt even have a speakers

 

[BbN48]

I really like my Alienware 34" OLED with a very sleight curve, but it's 3440x1440. I want to upgrade to 4k, but there's no way I am going below 34" (not even 32"). If they can make something between 34-40, 4k, OLED, Refresh time over 165, etc, I would be all over it. I can't go back to lesser panels at this point, and the fools saying burn-in was a real world problem for most people, have been fools, 3+ years and going strong.

There are some 5k2k (5120x2160) monitors coming. Don't think there will be anything in between 3440x1440 and 5120x2160. Which means you need a hefty GPU.

But... the bad news: LG's 39" 5k2k offering will reportedly have a pretty extreme 800R curve, despite what a mixed reception that curve got on their 45" oled.

 

[axiomatic13]

completely broken HDR, been using it as and SDR monitor for the past year and a half, they have released an firmware update a few days ago that only partially fixes the issues like screen flashing or lines appearing over the entire screen, also the monitor does not rember HDR mode settings, and you to setup them every single time after you shut down your pc... monitor also makes a buzzing sound when pc is turned of so I have to completely unplug the monitor from the wall so I can sleep, in talks with asus support this is not the issue of my unit, it's normal sound of components and looking on forums a lot of people complained about this... also the monitor requires to be connected with an usb cable to pc in addition to DP cable in order for rgb lights to work properly, you have no way to customize this monitor backlight without being usb connected and installing a terrible armoury crate, the monitor keeps my entire bedroom enlighted during the night because I refuse to install ASUS crapware... also trying to play games with HDR produces an eye searing brightness and you cannot sit in front of the monitor comfortably, I use 30% brightness normally for SDR but everything is locked in HDR all the features that are marketed with this monitor are dead under HDR, this is freaking incredible amount of problems that are happening on a 1500€ monitor universally praised best ever on many reviews, makes me wonder do guys reviewing these monitors just use chatgpt... heck it doesnt even have a speakers

I find that fascinating that there are so many HDR issues with that monitor when I have their older PG42UQ 42" and it's been rock solid.

 

[Phyrino]

How I wished someone would make a big gaming monitor. Not only wide.
I prefer 16:10, but there's no monitor like that over 60Hz. And it's really annoying.

 

[GhostLegion]

How I wished someone would make a big gaming monitor. Not only wide.
I prefer 16:10, but there's no monitor like that over 60Hz. And it's really annoying.

They do make them, they’re just rare and don’t get covered much. Nor do new models get launched often. I bought a 4K 120hz 16:9 48” LG OLED monitor (not TV!) a couple years ago and I’ll ride it until it dies on me. I baby it just so it can last until another model comes out. Ideally I would like to see 55” or bigger as 48” isn’t big enough to be a TV replacement size from my couch. Dolby Vision support would be nice but not a deal breaker for me.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

completely broken HDR, been using it as and SDR monitor for the past year and a half, they have released an firmware update a few days ago that only partially fixes the issues like screen flashing or lines appearing over the entire screen, also the monitor does not rember HDR mode settings, and you to setup them every single time after you shut down your pc... monitor also makes a buzzing sound when pc is turned of so I have to completely unplug the monitor from the wall so I can sleep, in talks with asus support this is not the issue of my unit, it's normal sound of components and looking on forums a lot of people complained about this... also the monitor requires to be connected with an usb cable to pc in addition to DP cable in order for rgb lights to work properly, you have no way to customize this monitor backlight without being usb connected and installing a terrible armoury crate, the monitor keeps my entire bedroom enlighted during the night because I refuse to install ASUS crapware... also trying to play games with HDR produces an eye searing brightness and you cannot sit in front of the monitor comfortably, I use 30% brightness normally for SDR but everything is locked in HDR all the features that are marketed with this monitor are dead under HDR, this is freaking incredible amount of problems that are happening on a 1500€ monitor universally praised best ever on many reviews, makes me wonder do guys reviewing these monitors just use chatgpt... heck it doesnt even have a speakers

Connecting to USB to control peripherals is pretty normal...you cant send those commands over DisplayPort. How else would you do it?

Speakers? Who would want shitty monitor speakers on a $1500 product? If you have that kind of budget you can afford infinitely better standalone speakers. Speakers are important on $100 monitors maybe.

It sucks you are having HDR issues, but that honestly just sounds like typical Assus quality control these days. It wouldnt be the first time they blamed a clearly faulty device on "normal operation" to avoid warrantying things. If the reviewer unit didnt do it, and again that sounds like typical Asus, they cant claim that retail units will all be busted without evidence, lest they get sued for slander. It also has a 4.5 star review on Amazon with lots of positive reviews, so its entirely possible you just got a bad unit.

 

[daffy duck]

All I want is a 38-40 inch ultrawide with more than 3440x1440 res and not an extreme curve

Produce them already

Wait until after CES, LG launching 39" 5K x 2K TANDEM RGB OLED monitor with hopefully much smaller than 800R curvature.

 

[daffy duck]

There are some 5k2k (5120x2160) monitors coming. Don't think there will be anything in between 3440x1440 and 5120x2160. Which means you need a hefty GPU.

But... the bad news: LG's 39" 5k2k offering will reportedly have a pretty extreme 800R curve, despite what a mixed reception that curve got on their 45" oled.

LG won't be the only offering, since they make the panels, plenty of others will follow. Also it is said to have smaller curvature than that god awful and stupid 800R. I won't touch any curved screen with more than 1800R, but for 39" flat is still preferred.

 

[JMGuy]

No one in that LG store picture is actually wanting to buy those TVs with forced Microsoft's copilot being included on them with no way to disable or remove it.

I agree forced Copilot is BS—the tech is garbage. But I honestly don’t think it matters to most buyers, and that’s exactly what companies like LG are counting on. They’re probably making as much or more money from Microsoft’s inclusion than from the customer itself.

In my experience, the average consumer doesn’t think about bundled features at purchase time, or how they might affect the experience later. They care about size, picture quality, price, and whatever gaming buzzwords are on the box—not whether Copilot can be disabled. If it becomes annoying later, the reaction is usually just “that’s dumb” and a shrug, not a return or a boycott.

Enthusiasts notice and care—I do too. But the masses driving these sales numbers don’t, unless it clearly stops them from doing something they want. Until then, the marketing noise and “ooh, shiny” factor win.

 

[Antias]

LG won't be the only offering, since they make the panels, plenty of others will follow. Also it is said to have smaller curvature than that god awful and stupid 800R. I won't touch any curved screen with more than 1800R, but for 39" flat is still preferred.

I'm with you on this one... I really really like (want) the 45" 21:9 but that 800R curve is just too tight for me...

 

[Megalomaniac]

All I want is a 38-40 inch ultrawide with more than 3440x1440 res and not an extreme curve

Produce them already

I hear you. I'm waiting for one too. For the time being, I can get away with my 34" Alienware monitor, but I was hoping they'd make a 38" - 40" Oled.

 

[abactuon]

https://www.displayninja.com/best-oled-monitor/

 

[Rapob]

I just want 34-40 inch Ultrawides using the newer generation panels. Let 2026 be the year.

Most/all current OLED Ultrawide uses 1st Generation OLED panels. Even the 240 Hz ones, which are "Gen 1.5" - They have the same issues as 1st Gen (Subpixel config = Mediocre text clarity + Subpar brightness = low overall brightness in both SDR and HDR (low peaks as well) - Among other things...

Don't care if its WOLED Tandem or QD-OLED, 3440x1440 or 5120x2160 but I don't want an 800R curve. 1500R tops. 1800R pref.

LG needs to stop their 800R madness, along with their crazy purple accents on most of their designs. They are loosing tons of sales due to 800R focus. 99 out of 100 people don't want 800R.

Who thought this was a good idea?

 

[BbN48]

LG won't be the only offering, since they make the panels, plenty of others will follow. Also it is said to have smaller curvature than that god awful and stupid 800R. I won't touch any curved screen with more than 1800R, but for 39" flat is still preferred.

We can hope, but I heard it (LG 39") will actually have the 800R curve. I hope I was misinformed by that rumor. But you are probably right that some other monitors from other manufacturers will follow, and they may have different curvatures. I think a slight/moderate curve is okay, maybe even preferable over no curve at all, at that size.

 

[BbN48]

I just want 34-40 inch Ultrawides using the newer generation panels. Let 2026 be the year.

Most/all current OLED Ultrawide uses 1st Generation OLED panels. Even the 240 Hz ones, which are "Gen 1.5" - They have the same issues as 1st Gen (Subpixel config = Mediocre text clarity + Subpar brightness = low overall brightness in both SDR and HDR (low peaks as well) - Among other things...

Don't care if its WOLED Tandem or QD-OLED, 3440x1440 or 5120x2160 but I don't want an 800R curve. 1500R tops. 1800R pref.

LG needs to stop their 800R madness, along with their crazy purple accents on most of their designs. They are loosing tons of sales due to 800R focus. 99 out of 100 people don't want 800R.

Who thought this was a good idea?

People who play flight sims and car sims all day, I guess?? No one else. No one who wants to do a lot of 2D tasks on these monitors.

 

[mountains]

How is the text clarity on the new OLED monitors? I do too much reading to even consider mediocre text clarity, and OLED is famous for being weak in that category. It is hard on your eyes.

 

[BbN48]

How is the text clarity on the new OLED monitors? I do too much reading to even consider mediocre text clarity, and OLED is famous for being weak in that category. It is hard on your eyes.

There are no "new" OLED monitors right now. Everything available is kinda outdated. Wait for CES, starting January 6th.

 

[RaXelliX]

How I wished someone would make a big gaming monitor. Not only wide.
I prefer 16:10, but there's no monitor like that over 60Hz. And it's really annoying.

There are 16:10 75-144Hz monitors in 24" 1080p size and resolution:
https://geizhals.eu/?cat=monlcd19wide&xf=11939_24~11941_16:10~11963_75

How is the text clarity on the new OLED monitors? I do too much reading to even consider mediocre text clarity, and OLED is famous for being weak in that category. It is hard on your eyes.

LG has new RGB Stripe OLED monitors coming out. These are true RGB subpixel models with no white subpixel and arranged in a stripe formation instead of triangle etc. These should make any OLED text issues a thing of the past.